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UNANIMA at the White House

On April 9-12 UNANIMA was represented in Washington DC at a meeting organized by the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in collaboration with the Bakhita Initiative (U.S. Catholic Sisters United Against Human Slavery) for 12 leaders of groups of women religious who work against human trafficking. The timing was great—for one thing, the Japanese cherry trees were in bloom (picture), and we got to attend a ceremony at the White House for the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The occasion was the Council’s formal presentation of its report on “Building Partnerships to Eradicate Modern-Day Slavery.” The report begins: ”There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 21 million in bondage across the globe.” (International Labor Organization). The report is excellent, with 10 specific recommendations for the President. You might find it online here.

Participants committed themselves to specific actions that would assist more effective communication and sharing of resources about anti-trafficking in congregations throughout the USA. Michele Morek OSU represented UNANIMA International at this meeting.